National University Hospital to Expand Wearable Technology for Patient Monitoring
National University Hospital (NUH) will expand its use of wearable technology for continuous patient vital signs monitoring following a successful pilot program.
SINGAPORE – National University Hospital (NUH) is set to increase its use of wearable technology for monitoring patients' vital signs after a successful pilot program demonstrated significant benefits. The month-long trial concluded in June and found that continuous smartwatch-based monitoring could identify changes in patients' vital signs up to two hours earlier than routine manual observations.
The expansion initiative aims for up to 10 percent of suitable inpatient vital signs monitoring to be supported by wearable technology over the coming year. This effort is part of the hospital's broader strategy to leverage digital innovation for enhanced patient safety, improved patient experience, and optimized care delivery. The pilot was a collaboration between NUH's Department of Surgery and a multidisciplinary team of nurses, operations staff, and researchers from NUS Medicine.
Patients participating in the pilot wore HSA-approved smartwatches that continuously tracked blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation. Nurses continued to perform routine bedside checks, verifying smartwatch readings. The pilot confirmed that wearable monitoring could safely complement post-surgical care by providing clinicians with earlier visibility of potential physiological changes. Crucially, no critical clinical events were missed during the smartwatch monitoring period.
Key findings indicated that abnormal vital signs were detected up to two hours sooner than with traditional nursing observations, and all abnormal readings triggered existing clinical escalation protocols. Patients reported fewer disruptions, particularly overnight, contributing to a more comfortable recovery. Nurses also reported a reduction in time spent on repetitive monitoring tasks.
NUH plans to integrate smartwatch data directly into its EPIC electronic medical record system. This integration is expected to reduce the time required for each vital signs check significantly, allowing nurses to dedicate more time to direct patient care and complex observations. The hospital views this as a step towards the future of inpatient care, where technology enhances clinical judgment.